My first boat, a 2008 185 Sport

M

Maddmike

New Member
Apr 16, 2017
17
Raleigh, NC
Boat Info
2008 185 Sport
Engines
Mercury 4.3 TKS
I have been wanting a boat for a few years but the time was not right. I recently moved to Releigh and I live 5 minutes from the lake. The wife and I needed something to do together on the weekends and being out on the lake sounds perfect.

I started looking for a bow rider to go out with my wife, the dogs, and alternatively some friends. I almost bought a Four Winns which was priced very well. However, it had the 3.0, the bow area was a bit crowded and the swim platform was nonexistent. In addition, the snap-in carpet looked like crap and the coushions had some tears.

I found a 185 Sport that had the larger Mercury 4.3. The fit and finish was a bit nicer, the seats and carpet were perfect and and the owner was maticulous. Yes, it cost $6k more but if I went with the Four Winns I knew I would want more space and engine and getting the interior redone would run about $2k.

We we are closing the deal on Tuesday as my bank was closed for the holiday. Sea trials on Saturday went well and my wife, who is six months pregnant was fine with the way it was handling chop.

I look forward to joining the boat and the Sea Ray club.
 
Last edited:
Welcome to the club! We have this one little problem... if you don't have pics then it didn't happen! ;). Really though being on the water is amazing and spending quality time with your family and friends is priceless. Also, congrats on the baby on the way and getting the wife to buy a boat in the process!

Josh


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hey 'nutha Mike,

Welcome to CSR. Yup, like was so politely mentioned above, without pics we just don't believe it happened. Actually, it's not so much that we don't believe it happened, but we like to see pics of other CSR boats, where they go boating and the people using them.

Also, nothing bad about Four Winns, but they're not a SR.
 
Man that thing looks brand new. Nice!

If you can keep it that clean you should have no problem selling it and finding that next size up when "six months pregnant" becomes "baby # 2 on the way". ha.

Congrats on the boat and the summer baby...
 
Yes, condition was a big selling point. Only 138 on it and seller is the kind of guy who washes and waxes it after every use.

I think the price I'm paying is decent. He was asking $15,500. I got him to $14,400. The Sea Ray I got him to $8,000 but as I said, this one fits the bill much better and pricing is in like with other Sea Rays which tend to hold their value a bit better.

Wife wants two kids and getting a boat is directly in line with spending family time together. I'm sure once baby expenses are here, money may be a little tighter so its good to get it in now.
 
I've got a 2008 195, which is the next size up from what you're getting. You'll love it and condition means so much. My boat looked just like yours when I bought it last year, and people still are shocked when I tell them it's a 2008. They think it's new!

Welcome to CSR, and this very addictive hobby!
 
I would have loved to go bigger but needed something that can fit in my modest two-car garage and still leave space for the Porsche and the Nine T. I'm sure I'll upgrade in a few years once I have more experience and figure out what kind of boater I am.

I think the prop prop is original so I do want to upgrade it and keep the original as a spare. From what I have been reading a SS 19 pitch seems the way to go. Any input on this and where to buy? eBay seems to be full of them. Any brands I should look for/stay away from?
 
Picked her up today and closed the deal.

She just barely fit in the garage. I will be getting an out door cover and keep her outside during the season and then inside in the winter.









 
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